to avoid the fiscal cliff? i mean that would be so unpopular across the nation. >> you would -- if you can take an action that would solve the problem for 98% of the country and then come back to the debate about the wealthiest 2%, let's get that first chunk done. republicans fear they could lose leverage if they cave in on the middle-class issue. apparently the president, his team has made increased demand here including, a provision now, part of the negotiations where, the congressional control over the debt limit would go away. and congress does not like to have its power take any way. so maybe the white house, upped the ante and played the stronger card and has republicans balking, according to reporting by "the washington post." that's a new element, all of that, that could prove interesting because it's stripping congressional control. and we just had the big debate over the debt ceiling. >> exactly. >> interesting. the clock is ticking, fellows, for sure. >>> speaking of money, extending jobless benefits